Expert: Chris Wagoner - 5/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am a Detentions Deputy in Colorado and am Colorado POST certified. In Colorado you must remain at one agency to become fully certified. I have not completed the one year but was thinking of moving to Florida and wanted to know if my certification would transfer. If you know this any info would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Hey Josh,

You have to have been a Corrections Deputy for a year before you can transfer your certification here. Wait the year out, then come here.

Here is what and how you have to do it: http://www.policestandards.org/adobe/Eot2005.PDF

Good luck!



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have been a Deputy for over a year but only POST certified for 6 months. Does that count?

ANSWER: Hi again Josh,

It says "worked" at least one year as a full-time, sworn officer. Were you sworn and had arrest powers before your were post certified?

This is from the Florida Department of Law Enforcememt (they set the rules) and here is the rule for what your asking:

You may be eligible for an exemption from the full basic training requirements if you were an officer in another state or with the federal government and meet the following requirements:
(1) you worked at least one year, full-time as a sworn officer in the discipline you are seeking exemption;

Documentation of one year's experience as an out-of-state or federal officer may consist of authentic copies of one or more of the following:

payroll records
employment records
verification of employment letters/affidavits

Documentation of prior training may consist of authentic copies of one or more of the following:

training records from prior employers
training records from academies
transcripts
curricula summaries
certificates of completion
verification of training /letters affidavits

Go here for more:
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjst/officerrequirements/equivalency.html

Good luck.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I was a sworn Deputy working full time for 14 months but did not have arrest powers until 6 months ago. Would that still count or would I have to come to florida as a detentions Deputy and work that for a year before moving to patrol. I know I have alot of questions but you seem to know this area very well.

Answer
Hey Josh,

You still would not be considered "certified" for evaluation purposes. You would have to wait another 6 months.

Here in Florida, you can only get the EOT (Equivalency of Training)if you have been "sworn" meaning arrest powers for more than a year. Otherwise you could come here and take the academy again, which is not bad, only 6 months. I know you don't look forward to that but its actually pretty good and a lot of fun.

As for coming down as a detention deputy and then working your way to the road, that is always possible also. It all depends on the department you hire on with, as to what their policies are.

Why don't you call one of the centers that does the evaluations and ask to speak to someone? Go here: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/cjst/training_resources/selectioncenter.html

or you can call my selection center at 352-334-0358 and tell them you have a few questions about Equivalency of Training.

Good luck, be safe